Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance Update Page 1 of 2 Community Engagement Summary
Engagement Type Date Summary
Community
Information
Session, Virtual
March 5, 2024 At a community information session, attendees expressed diverse opinions regarding the proposed stream corridor ordinance update. While the majority supported the update and increased setbacks, concerns were raised about balancing private property development with riparian improvements. Feedback included suggestions for varying setback distances, such as a favored 150-foot setback west of Foothill Expressway, alongside advocacy for flood risk mitigation, though community opinions remained divided on allowing dog parks within the setback areas.
Community
Meeting, Hybrid
February 6, 2025 staff conducted a hybrid community meeting attended by 63 community members (21 in person and 42 virtually) to gather feedback on the draft ordinance. Attendees generally expressed concerns regarding the practicality of obtaining minor and major exceptions, as well as the ability to install and maintain security fences to address issues with encampments. Additionally, feedback was divided into two distinct perspectives: some participants opposed the expanded 40-foot streamside setback due to safety and development restrictions, preferring existing requirements, while others advocated for even larger setbacks, citing a recent creekside development built under current regulations that they believed was too small.
Neighborhood
Meeting, Esther
Clark Park, In
person
December 18,
2025
Following the August 2025 PTC hearing, City staff met multiple times with Esther Clark Park and Palo Alto Hills residents to clarify past discussions, outline next steps, and address neighborhood concerns regarding the proposed 150-foot streamside setback, which some argued would render lots undevelopable. In response to residents' requests for varied regulations based on stream types, noting their area primarily features ephemeral streams, staff reiterated that the Commission supports shorter setbacks for established neighborhoods and confirmed that the next draft ordinance will include provisions and alternatives aligning with that direction.
Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance Update Page 2 of 2 Community Engagement Summary
Engagement Type Date Summary
Individually
requested
meetings
Various Residents from the Edgewood neighborhood and the Esther Clark Park neighborhood have requested meetings with staff to ask neighborhood-specific questions, inform City staff about researched information that would assist their position with the proposed regulations, ask for clarification of the discussion from previous hearings, and get updates about the project schedule and next steps directly from staff. Staff also met with environmental groups who requested meetings at the beginning of this effort; they provided feedback on the latest draft ordinance and asked for clarification on previous discussions.
Field Visits Various Staff was invited by residents who wanted to show the creek conditions in their neighborhoods, and subsequently conducted field visits to Esther Clark Park and the Palo Alto Hills neighborhood. Staff also took a drive through the Edgewood neighborhood to see the condition of the interface between the creek and the properties.
Early engagement Various To launch the beginning of this effort, staff and consultants initiated early engagement with the community and partnering agencies to understand local concerns and regulatory standards. This initial outreach included consulting with Palo Alto neighborhood associations, where representatives expressed varying levels of interest, support for staying informed, and specific feedback regarding setbacks and flood control, and meeting with Valley Water. These early agency discussions clarified that regulatory authority for areas beyond the stream bank transitioned to the City in 2006, highlighting the need for clear guidelines to protect riparian corridors and address frequent resident inquiries regarding streamside property regulations. Coordination with Valley Water continued throughout the effort to receive feedback on the regulations.
Courtesy Mail
Notices
10 days prior to
October 9, 2024
In preparation for the PTC hearing on October 9, 2024, a courtesy notice was sent at least 10 days prior to the hearing to inform property owners and tenants of properties within 300 feet of any stream in Palo Alto.